Augur

The term 'augur' originates from ancient Roman religious practices where it referred to a priest who interpreted omens and signs, especially through the observation of birds. In contemporary usage, 'augur' functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to predict or indicate a future event based on certain signs or indications, while as a noun, it denotes a person who makes predictions or foretellings based on these omens.

Augur meaning with examples

• As the clouds gathered ominously before the storm, the villagers began to augur that heavy rains were imminent, crossing their fingers that the crops would withstand the downpour, a concern fueled by last year's disastrous flooding that had destroyed much of their harvest. The elder, looking at the sky, warned them to prepare for the worst.
• The stock analyst had a knack for financial trends and could often augur market shifts before they happened, providing timely advice to her clients to sell or hold, thus enabling them to outpace the volatility that often plagued the financial landscape during uncertain times, ensuring their investments remained secure.
• During the meeting, the fortune teller used her tarot cards to augur the outcome of the upcoming company merger, suggesting that the cards indicated potential challenges but also significant growth opportunities, making team members hopeful yet cautious about the decisions they needed to make going forward.
• The ancient soothsayer claimed he could augur the fate of the battle by observing the behavior of the army's horses, which he believed reflected the inner confidence and morale of the soldiers—his predictions often influencing the strategies of commanders as they sought to gain an upper hand on the battlefield.